Gab Marcotti takes us around the biggest story lines in Italy, including AC Milan's Coppa Italia victory, Gonazalo Higuain injury blow and the best Serie A games this weekend.

Though Juventus remain right on Napoli's heels in Serie A, Gab Marcotti says three points could be a must for the Bianconeri at Lazio.

Gab Marcotti explains the changes in fortune from the start of the season for both Milan and Inter as the two sides prepare to meet in a critical derby.

Italy goes to the ballot box on Sunday. Forza Italia party leader and former AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi will no doubt have one eye on the exit polls and another on the Derby della Madonnina that evening. Ask Italians what's in the national interest this weekend and it wouldn't be at all surprising to hear a lot of them say calcio rather than the last-minute campaigning going on around the country.

Turnout is expected to be big at the Olimpico, the San Paolo and San Siro, but also the...

Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.

Here are today's top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest rumours.

Arthur to Barcelona

Gremio have confirmed they have started negotiations with Barcelona on a deal that would see midfielder Arthur move to the Nou Camp. Executive...

Inter Milan vs. Roma on Sunday is being billed as an anti-crisis match. A chance for Inter to turn things around. The moment Roma have been waiting for to snap out of their malaise. A win at San Siro for either side would have the effect of a jab in the arm, the best medicine for a bout of winter flu.

Both teams unexpectedly slowed in December, fading in parallel. What made their respective declines all the stranger was that it came just when they seemed for real. Their title credentials checked...

Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.

Here are today's top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.

Diafra Sakho to Crystal Palace

The writing has been on the wall for Sakho's West Ham career since a collapsed move to West Brom in the summer of 2016. The striker...

They identified the special talent of Philippe Coutinho before the Brazilian attacking midfielder had even turned professional. They bought him in 2008, when he was 16, and had to wait two years to take him across the Atlantic. But after all of this scouting work and the investment of time and money, they effectively gave up on him.

After three disappointing Serie A seasons -- 28 league appearances and three goals; 47 games and five...